Description

1. Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip

Kastoria, a city with a rich history through the centuries, is today considered one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and manages to maintain its traditional character intact.
According to tradition, it was founded by Orestes, in honor of Electra’s sister. In Kastoria, important monuments of Byzantine culture are preserved to this day, such as the walls and the almost 80 Byzantine churches that it has, which together with the truly magnificent lake of Kastoria create an unsurpassed setting, which is difficult to resist even the most demanding traveler. It flourished mainly during the 17th century, since then the old mansions can be seen, then the amazing mansions were built, which have combined the local character with the Byzantine architecture.

Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip

RECOMMENDED TRIP PLAN (We will try to show you as many sights as we can according to the time we will have).

• Lake Settlement of Dispilio, Kastoria, archeological site, Eco-Museum (Must to see)
  The archeological site of Dispilio and the EcoMuseum are located at a distance of 7 km from the city of Kastoria, on the south side of the lake. A lake settlement of the Late Neolithic Period has been excavated here, which developed around the lake, from the middle of the 6th to the middle of the 4th millennium BC. With the creation of the Eco-Museum, which has been part of the “Life” program since 1966, and has been in operation since 2000, a faithful representation of the settlement was attempted, which enables the visitor to better approach the way of life of its inhabitants.
• Lake Kastoria or Orestiada (Must to see)
  The lake of Kastoria, one of the most beautiful in the Balkans, is directly connected with the physiognomy, history and evolution of the city. It has been designated as a “Monument of Natural Beauty” by the Ministry of Culture and has been included in the European Network “Nature 2000”.
• Dragon Cave (Must to see)
  The myth of the cave: Many centuries ago, the large cave in front of the monastery of Mavriotissa was a gold mine guarded by a dragon that breathed and released flames and poisonous fumes from its mouth.
  The monster after a battle, was beaten and floated dead in the waters of the lake. Then, with lighted torches, people proceeded to the cave where at some point the torches went out due to lack of oxygen at the bottom of the cave. Then a voice was heard saying, ‘He who bends down and takes a handful of mud will repent, but he who does not take it again will repent. Some dared to take mud from the cave and coming out in the sunlight they were surprised to see that they were holding wet gold dust.
• Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa (Optionally)
  Built in 1082 during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios A’ Komnenos, this Byzantine treasure is located four kilometers from the center of Kastoria, next to the lake. The katholikon of the monastery belongs to the category of single-room, wooden-roofed basilicas. To the east of the temple the arch is semicircular, while to the west a spacious narthex is formed. The frescoes on the east wall of the monastery are placed in the first half of the 12th century and the representation of the Second Coming on the east and south walls of the narthex is at the end. The exterior frescoes, depicting Emperors and Saints Demetrius and George, are placed around 1260. Over the centuries, various repairs have been made to the building resulting in the destruction of much of the hagiography.
• Tour of the “Mansion” paths of Kastoria (Must to see)
  In the neighborhoods of Apozari and Dolcho, the Kastorian mansions built around the 17th and 18th centuries stand proudly and are the eyewitnesses of the economic prosperity of the Kastorian furriers, when their commercial activities had crossed the border with activities abroad. The development of export trade with the countries of Central Europe created a class of rich bourgeois, who came into contact with Western culture. Aware of their power and given the strictly limited society in which they lived, they gave their homes such a form and dimensions as to enjoy their goods in an illusion of freedom. The mansions of Kastoria are harmonized with the environment of the area, being samples of traditional architecture.
• Folklore Museum of Kastoria. Nerantzi Aivazi Mansion (Optionally)
  In one of the most picturesque streets of the city, is the mansion of Nerantzis Aivazis, which since 1975 houses the Folklore Museum of Kastoria. Here the material testimonies of the place, objects from the daily life at home and at work, objects related to ceremonies and celebrations find a hospitable home. The visitor can tour the imposing “krevata” (bed), the place that hosted the official ceremonies and celebrations, the “kalon onta”, (good room) as well as the summer living room that now houses for the needs of the museum the representation of a fur workshop.
• Museum of Wax Figures of Folklore and Prehistory (Optionally)
  This new museum was founded in Mavrochori, Kastoria, by the couple Panagiotidis Dimitris and Theocharis Theofano.
  In two buildings of local architecture, scenes of daily life of our people are presented, reviving customs and traditions nationwide.
  An entire pre-war village has also been created with life-size shops and houses where visitors can see the old forgotten professions – carpenter, glazier, shoemaker, blacksmith, etc.
  In a cave an entire tribe of Archangels process leather, weapons, cooking utensils, tools, in a difficult struggle for survival.

LUNCH
• Lunch time: 14:30 (approx)

Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip | Highlights

• Eco-Museum, the first in Greece, where the visitor has the opportunity to “see” digitally the Kastoria of the 6th century and get to know its diverse ecosystem.
• The Folklore Museum
• The Byzantine Museum
• The Museum of Costume Design
• The Fossil Forest, twenty million years old with tropical and subtropical plants, palm trunks and marine fossils.
• The Lake Orestiada
• Agios Stefanos and the Byzantine castle, which is characterized by travelers of the time as inaccessible and fortified.
• The Dragon Cave, an impressive cave to visit with 7 underground lakes, 10 rooms and 5 corridors – tunnels.
  Its name is due to the tradition that says that inside there was a gold mine, which was guarded by a watchful dragon.
• The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa and the chapel of Agios Nikolaos.
• Vitsi Ski Center, for those who love winter sports. Located 20 km from the city of Kastoria.
• During your visit, do not hesitate to shop for some of the local products. Kastoria, of course, is mainly famous for the unique furs and leather.

Kastoria seems to be a heavenly place that meets all tastes and requirements.

Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip

Vitsi Ski Center (Winter Season)
On Mount Vitsi and close to the city of Kastoria (just 22 km), operates the organized ski center of the Kastoria Ski Association, at an altitude of 1800 meters. It is located on the borders of the prefectures of Kastoria and Florina, near the village of Polykerasso, in an excellent location that is an attraction for the beauty of the landscape and the picturesqueness of the surrounding settlements. Vitsi is protected as a prey sanctuary and is an ideal habitat for the endangered bear. The area has been unaffected by human activity and retains the unique beauty of wildlife.

Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip | Included and not Included

Included

• Pick up and drop off service from your hotel in Thessaloniki
• Transportation by air-conditioned V.I.P. car, minivan or minibus
• Professional English-speaking Driver (applies for transports by car or minivan)
• Professional English-speaking Driver & Escort of our office (applies for transport by minibus)
• Wifi on board (free)
• Bottle of water and coffee during the route (free)
• After the trip you will receive with email edited photos and video of your trip.

Not Included

• Gratuities (optional)
• Guide who speaks your language
• Licensed Guide
• Entrance fees
• Lunch Cost

Thessaloniki to Kastoria and Lake Orestiada – Private Day Trip | Additional info

• Participants under the age of 12 must have a parent or guardian.
• Because there are many sights worth seeing but a day trip is not enough to visit all of them, before starting the trip we will present to you all possible sights to choose what you are more interest for.
• There are many beautiful sights. You are encouraged to bring a camera along. But if you don’t… we have a camera for you!
• Weather will not affect the operation of the tours.
• However if canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions, you will be given the option of an alternative date
• Pick up from your hotel in Thessaloniki
• Departure time: 09:00 am (approx.)
• Duration: 10 hours (approx.)
• Return details: Returns to original Pick up point

CANCELLATION POLICY

• In case of cancellation for any reason that prevents your arrival to Greece, our company will refund 100% the amount you paid.
• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 7 days before the service start time.
• If you cancel less than 7 days before the service start time, 100% refund with Credit Voucher*

*CREDIT VOUCHER – TERMS and CONDITIONS:

• The issued Credit Voucher entitled to the booking holder can be used as payment for future services until one year after the booking date of cancelled service
• The Credit Voucher can be transferable to any other person and can only be used on new bookings.
• This credit voucher applies to any of our products or services. The same voucher can be used for the purchase of several new services until its amount is zero.

Thessaloniki to Kastoria! Let’s travel!

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